Orascom Telecom to acquire AAL Corporation interest in WIND Mobile Canada;
Anthony Lacavera to step down as CEO of WIND Mobile Canada, Plans to Launch
Globalive Capital in 2013
CAIRO AND TORONTO, Jan. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - On the heels of a strong growth year,
Orascom Telecom Holding S.A.E. ("Orascom") and WIND Mobile's founder, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Lacavera, jointly announce that they have
entered into an agreement to transfer Mr. Lacavera's shares of WIND Mobile
Canada to Orascom.
Mr. Lacavera, who plans to launch a new initiative, Globalive Capital in 2013,
will remain WIND Mobile's Chairman and CEO until closing, and will continue in
a non-operational capacity as WIND Mobile Canada's Honorary Chair.Upon
closing, Orascom will own an indirect 99.3% interest in Globalive Wireless
Management Corp.
"As an entrepreneur, my vision was to ignite change across the wireless
landscape in Canada, bringing more competition, better prices and superior
service to Canadians," said Mr. Lacavera. "And that is exactly what we did.
Now that I am confident WIND Mobile Canada is on a course for long-term
success, I can focus on launching Globalive Capitalto make targeted
investments in companies that share my entrepreneurial vision andcontinue to
support innovation through new and emerging entrepreneurs."
Mr. Lacavera founded WIND Mobile in Canada in 2008. Partnering with Orascom
(now majority owned by VimpelCom Ltd.), WIND Mobile acquired spectrum in the
2008 wireless auction and launched what is now Canada's fourth largest
wireless carrier. Since that time, WIND Mobile has launched in Southern
Ontario (including Toronto), Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and now
serves 600,000 subscribers.
Under the terms of the signed agreement, upon obtaining certain necessary
regulatory approvals, Orascom will indirectly acquire all of AAL Corp.'s
interest in Globalive Wireless Management Corp., which operates under the WIND
Mobile brand in Canada. AAL Corp. is a holding company that is majority-owned
by Anthony Lacavera. As part of the consideration to be paid to AAL Corp.
(which includes cash consideration and a continuing economic participation in
WIND Mobile for AAL Corp.), the Globalive group's fixed-line assets (including
the Globalive name and trademark) will be transferred to AAL Corp.
"Anthony Lacavera has been the face and the voice of WIND Mobile Canada," said
Ahmed Abou Doma, Chief Executive Officer of Orascom. "I wish to pay tribute
to his leadership in making WIND Mobile the official alternative to the 'Big
Three' incumbents in Canada."
Completion of the transactions is subject to satisfaction of certain
conditions,including Canadian regulatory approvalof the conversion of
Orascom's non-voting shares into voting shares, which would result in Orascom
holding an indirect 65.1% voting and economic interest in Globalive Wireless
Management Corp. immediately before completion of the transactions with AAL
Corp. Orascom currently holds an indirect 32% voting interest and 65.1%
economic interest in WIND Mobile Canada. AAL Corp. currently holds an
indirect 66.7% voting interest and 34.3% economic interest.
About Orascom Telecom:
Orascom Telecom is a leading international telecommunications company
operating GSM networks in high growth markets in the Middle East, Africa and
Asia, having a total population under license of approximately 449 million
with an average mobile telephony penetration of approximately 56% as of
September 30th, 2012. Orascom Telecom operates GSM networks in Algeria
("OTA"), Pakistan ("Mobilink") and Bangladesh ("banglalink") and has an
indirect equity shareholding in Globalive Wireless Canada ("Wind Mobile"). In
addition it has an indirect equity ownership in Telecel Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
and through its subsidiary Telecel Globe, OTH also operates in Burundi and the
Central African Republic. Orascom Telecom reached over 85 million subscribers
as of September 30th, 2012.
Orascom Telecom is traded on the Egyptian Exchange under the symbol (ORTE.CA,
ORAT EY), and on the London Stock Exchange its GDSs are traded under the
symbol (ORTEq.L, OTLD LI). For more information visit www.orascomtelecom.com.
About Globalive Holdings: Globalive Holdings is a leading provider of
telecommunications solutions in Canada and internationally to the consumer,
business and hospitality markets. The Globalive companies include: WIND
Mobile, Yak Communications, One Connect, Canopco and Globalive Carrier
Services. For more information, visit www.globalive.com.
Media contact:Shelley Thomas, Narrative PR,
416-357-7829,shelley.thomas@narrative.ca
Investor Relations Contacts:
OTInvestorrelations@otelecom.com Tel+20(2)24615050/51
Fax+20(2)24615054/55 www.orascomtelecom.com
SOURCE: WIND Mobile
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CO: Globalive Communications Corp.
ST: Ontario
NI: TLS MNA 2575 WNEWS
-0- Jan/18/2013 17:00 GMT